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A former social worker who helped expose the Rotherham abuse scandal has become the fourth chair of the beleaguered independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.

Prof Alexis Jay vowed to “fearlessly examine institutional failures, past and present” as she took up the role after the resignation of Dame Lowell Goddard.

Prof Jay has over 30 years’ experience of child protection during a career in local government which saw her become Scotland’s chief social work adviser.

The families of child abuse victims appeared supportive of the choice when she emerged as the front-runner for the job in recent days.

However questions have been raised about her lack of legal experience, with Keith Vaz, the Labour MP and chair of the Home Affairs Committee, nothing she lacked “judicial qualifications”.

Prof Jay becomes the fourth chair of the inquiry in two years after Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, Dame Fiona Woolf and Dame Goddard all left after questions were raised about their suitability.

The inquiry was up by Theresa May when she was in the Home Office and has a wide remit to investigate whether institutions within government and elsewhere “failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation”.

Prof Jay led the inquiry in child abuse in Rotherham which found that at least 1,400 children were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation in the town between 1997 and 2013.

She has since accused the Labour-dominated council of turning a blind eye to the problem because of “their desire to accommodate a community that would be expected to vote Labour, to not rock the boat, to keep a lid on it, to hope it would go away”.

Her success in holding politicians and institutions to account in the case of Rotherham is likely to be welcomed given previous chairs have had to step down over the links to establishment figures.

It is not yet known whether Prof Jay is on the same generous salary package given to Dame Goddard, which included use of a flat and flights home to her native New Zealand.

Reacting to the announcement, Prof Jay said: “I am committed to ensuring this Inquiry does everything it has set out to do and does so with pace, with confidence and with clarity.

“Be in no doubt - the Inquiry is open for business and people are busier than ever working hard to increase momentum. The Panel and I are determined to make progress on all parts of the Inquiry's work, including speaking to victims and survivors.

“I am determined to overcome the challenges along the way. I will lead the largest public inquiry of its kind and together with my fellow Panel members we will fearlessly examine institutional failures, past and present and make recommendations so that the children of England and Wales are better protected now and in the future.”

Amber Rudd, the Home SecretaryCredit:
Dan Kitwood

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, said: “The Independent Inquiry has a vital role to play in exposing the failure of public bodies and other major organisations to prevent systematic child sexual abuse.

“I’m delighted Professor Alexis Jay has agreed to chair the Inquiry. She has a strong track record in uncovering the truth and I have no doubt she will run this independent Inquiry with vigour, compassion and courage.

“Let there be no doubt; our commitment to this Inquiry is undiminished. We owe it to victims and survivors to confront the appalling reality of how children were let down by the very people who were charged to protect them and to learn from the mistakes of the past.”

Gabrielle Shaw, CEO of NAPAC said: "We’re delighted that a new Chair has been chosen so quickly, so that IICSA’s vital work can continue smoothly.

"Alexis Jay is likely to be a popular choice with many survivors, as she has done such good work on Rotherham and as part of the inquiry panel."

But Harvey Proctor, who was wrongly accused of being a member of a VIP abuse ring, involved in the murder of children said there were still questions to answer over the resignation of Dame Goddard.

He said: "I think Prof Alexis Jay's first act should be to call Lady Goddard before the IICSA and ask her why she resigned. Unlike the Home Affairs Select Committee it has powers to command attendence."